title: The interplay between pathogen-associated and danger-associated molecular patterns: an inflammatory code in cancer?
abstract: There is increasing evidence of a close link between inflammation and cancer, and at the core of inflammation there are both pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and danger (or damage)-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Microorganisms harbor molecules structurally conserved within groups called PAMPs that are recognized by specific receptors present on immune cells, such as monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs); these are the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Activation through different PRRs leads to production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. A robust immune response also requires the presence of endogenous molecules that pose 'danger' to self-tissues and are produced by damaged or stressed cells; these are the DAMPs, which act also as inducers of inflammation. PAMPs and DAMPs are each recognized by a limited set of receptors that in number probably do not exceed 100. PAMPs and DAMPs interact with each other, and a single PRR can bind to a PAMP as well as a DAMP. Within this framework, we propose that PAMPs and DAMPs act in synchrony, modifying the activation threshold of one another. Thus, the range of PAMP-DAMP partnerships defines the course of inflammation, in a predictable manner, in an 'inflammatory code'. The definition of relevant PAMP-DAMP complexes is important for the understanding of inflammatory disorders in general, and of cancer in particular. Here, we review relevant findings that support the notion of a PAMP-DAMP-based inflammatory code, with emphasis on cancer immunology and immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Carpio y Plan de Ayala, Col. Santo Tomás, México D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Escamilla-Tilch
authors.forename: Georgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Filio-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: García-Rocha
authors.forename: Ismael
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mancilla-Herrera
authors.forename: Nicholas Avrion
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Mitchison
authors.forename: Juan Alberto
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Pacheco
authors.forename: Francisco Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Sánchez-García
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sandoval-Borrego
authors.forename: Ernesto Antonio
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Vázquez-Sánchez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition